[joe bartels]

Interesting pdf from the Pacific Crest Trail Association

[big_load]

Yikes! I should post some pictures of my neighborhood. Dozens of healthy mature trees toppled in the latest climatic debacle. We temporarily relocated to the guest room during the storm, which is less exposed the biggest trunks and branches.

[chumley]

Just one of the risks of enjoying the wilderness. (root word = wild)

Not to diminish the need to evaluate and minimize risks from flora, fauna, weather, and earth — because you CAN help reduce the odds — but sometimes pumpkin just happens. Hope not to be in the wrong place at the wrong time.

Lucky for this guy, it wasn't his time just yet.

[kingsnake]

"Make sure to appreciate each day!"

More importantly, anytime you leaved a love one, tell them you love them. It might be the last time you are able to do so.

[Outdoor Lover]

Holy Smokes

[azbackpackr]

There are lots of dead trees out there, and I notice a lot of backpackers don't pay much attention to them when setting up camp. Of course, live trees fall, too!

[writelots]

When I was @ Phantom Ranch last week with the GCHBA Volunteer project, one of the things we spoke with the rangers about was how they are gradually phasing out Cottonwood trees in the BA campground in favor of other riparian species (specifically Box Elder and Ash) because of the falling limb danger. I guess there's just too much liability associated with the possibility of crushed tourist. Of course, the struggle is that ashes grow much more slowly and are overall much smaller trees than cottonwoods, and the box elder's are struggling to survive at all on the high shelf above the creek (they're usually found right along the creek's margins with their feet right in the water). It's amazing how much work the expectation of dry, flood free, hazard free, shady camping has meant at BA. I'm amazed those permits don't cost more!

Personally, as a hammocker I find that paying attention to which trees are alive or dead is totally critical. Hanging from a dead tree = Hanging from a healthy tree =

[Moovyoaz]

In June this year a group of us backpacked up Kendrick and set up camp behind the cabin. As we were filtering water from Bull Spring, you could hear the roar of the wind before it reached us, almost like a large truck approaching. About that time there was a load 'CRACK' then 'BOOM' about 100 feet from us as a bark beetle ridden tree crashed to the ground. One of our group, Bonnie, had wandered down the hill, and came running back quite shaken, since it fell about 20 feet from her.

About 45 minutes later as we were starting dinner near the cabin, 35 feet from us another tree snapped and fell, this time very close to 2 other campers. Needless to say, everybody moved out in the meadow away from the trees. It makes you wonder how the old historic cabin remains with all the dead trees around it.

http://www.friendshiking.com/index.php? ... &Itemid=53
http://www.friendshiking.com/index.php? ... &Itemid=53

[azbackpackr]

I love that little cabin. I could fix it up with a little wood stove and be pretty comfortable.